Griselinia littoralis kapuka, New Zealand broadleaf

Waxy, alternate leaves of Griselinia littoralis. Sairus Patel, 3 Feb 2016

This small New Zealand tree, often grown as a hedge, is distinguished by its leathery, broadly oval leaves to 4 inches long and almost as wide, waxy-shiny on top, dull and paler green below. One can see why one of its names is New Zealand privet, though its leaves are arranged alternately, and not oppositely as in Ligustrum. The flowers are inconspicuous.

The only known recent campus example was in the Lou Henry Hoover House garden, in the corner at the north part of the house, near the ramp pathway. It was removed in 2024, likely due to root damage from the ramp’s construction a few years prior. It had rough brown bark and the branchlets drooped down, almost vine-like, to display their leaves. The twigginess of its crown was reminiscent of camphor tree. Three Griselinia had been noted in 1960 in front of Encina Hall, towards the right side, but are long gone.